Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Health Professions

Hobart and William Smith Colleges is an ideal place to prepare for a career in the health professions. Over the past five years our placement rate for medical, dental and veterinary school applicants has exceeded 80%, well above national averages. Many recent graduates are also now successful physical therapists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, and a variety of other clinical practitioners.

Our small class sizes, high-quality faculty, and community of collaborative, diverse and high-achieving students promote strong learning outcomes. Professional schools know this, and value our graduates for what they learn at HWS and for their records of success in taking on new challenges after college.

Students at HWS also extend their education beyond the classroom. Our students take part in research on campus, pursue service learning and community service projects, and study abroad all over the globe. Pre-health students at HWS are thus at the forefront of generating new knowledge, and their obvious and effective commitment to improving the lives of others is informed by real-world understanding of the challenges that face our local and global communities.

Student Resources

Spotlight: Recent Grads

Banan Otaibi '18

Current Position: Medical Student, Penn State College of Medicine

Current Location: Hershey, Pa.

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Spotlight: Recent Grads

Tyler Fuller '18

Current Position: Medical Student, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Current Location: Syracuse, N.Y.

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Spotlight: Recent Grads

Lauren Syzmanski '18

Current Position: Graduate Student, Physician Assistant Program, Daemen College

Current Location: Buffalo, N.Y.

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Meet Our Team

At HWS pre-health advising is individualized. Our mission is to advise both undergraduates and alumni/ae regarding all aspects of the admission process to professional schools in health services.

Whether you aim to pursue an MD/PhD, join Doctors Without Borders, become a large animal veterinarian, or serve your community as a specialty or primary care provider, we will work with you to help you achieve your goal.

Faculty Adviser

Responsible for helping students interpret the academic requirements of particular professional schools and choose the appropriate course work at HWS.

Justin Miller, Associate Professor of Chemistry
jsmiller@hws.edu
315-781-3884

Career Counselor

Responsible for placing students in internships, addressing questions about professional options in health care, and assisting students with the application process for professional schools.

Scott MacPhail, Associate Director of Health Professions Counseling and Fellowship Advising
macphail@hws.edu
315-781-3514

Advisory Committee

In addition to advising students interested in health professions, the committee pre-reviews applicants for dental, medical and veterinary school.

Mark Deutschlander, Biology
Emily Fisher, Psychology
Daniel Graham, Psychology
Justin Miller, Chemistry and HP Committee Chair
Erin Pelkey, Chemistry
Kristin Slade, Chemistry
Shannon Straub, Biology

Letter of Recommendation

A major advantage of attending HWS is the opportunity to request a Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) recommendation in support of an application to medical, dental, optometry, or veterinary school. The HPAC letter provides a detailed review of the applicant's overall preparation for professional school, and is part of a packet that includes supporting letters that students obtain from faculty, research supervisors, medical professionals and mentors as part of the HPAC application process. Students should apply for the HPAC recommendation in the spring semester before they apply to medical, dental, optometry or veterinary programs. Seniors planning “gap” time before applying to professional school should complete the request process before leaving campus. An informational meeting about the application process is held in early December. HPAC letters are kept on file in the Health Professions Advising Office in the Career Center.

Paths of Interest

Blackwell Scholarship for Prospective Students

The Elizabeth Blackwell Class of 1849 Pioneer in Science Scholarship program is named for Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman physician in North America. She received her medical degree from Geneva Medical College (now Hobart and William Smith Colleges) in 1849, graduating at the top of her class.

The scholarship is awarded to first year applicants who have completed advanced science coursework, relevant research or participated in science related experiences. Blackwell scholars are expected to pursue coursework or research in the sciences at Hobart and William Smith.

Learn more and apply

Health Professions News

Sharing Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell’s Private Life

Wed, 19 Feb 2020

Recent acquisitions to the Colleges’ archives of personal letters and family photos of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) provide a rare glimpse into the personal life of HWS’ most celebrated alumna.…

Beyrer ’81 on Confronting AIDS in the New Decade

Wed, 15 Jan 2020

In a December interview, internationally renowned epidemiologist Dr. Christopher C. Beyrer ’81 discussed healthcare, human rights and the primary challenges facing the HIV community ahead of AIDS 2020, the International…

Researching Public School Health Education

Tue, 27 Aug 2019

Women’s studies and psychology double major Yamileth Cedeno ’20 spent her summer conducting research on health and sex education standards in public schools under the direction of Assistant Professor of…

Planning Ahead

While many pre-health students have a natural interest in the sciences, a major in the sciences is not required for admission to medical, dental or veterinary school. Professional schools welcome diverse academic backgrounds and select applicants who are passionate about what they study. Regardless of your major, you need to do well in prerequisite courses, and should complete all prerequisite courses before beginning the graduate application process and taking standardized entrance exams such as the MCAT or DAT.

Similarly, your choice of minor should follow from your interests. Minors in foreign languages, public policy, women's or men's studies, international relations, child advocacy, and a host of others serve pre-health students well. The Health Professions Minor is a popular option, but is not required. Your faculty adviser and pre-health adviser are here to help you fashion an academic program that fits your interests and abilities while satisfying the prerequisites for admission to professional or graduate programs.